The '''Guards of the Citadel''' or '''Tower of Gondor''' were those honoured guards of [[Minas Tirith]] who were charged with protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]], the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.

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The '''Guards of the Citadel''' or '''Tower of Gondor''' were those honoured guards of [[Minas Tirith]] who were charged with protecting the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]], the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref> When on duty they were not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|V4}}</ref>

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They also guarded the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] that stood in the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] it had been dead for nearly 150 years, until the new King [[Aragorn|Elessar]] and [[Gandalf]] found a new seedling of the Tree, and the Guards' great duty was refounded.

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They also guarded the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] that stood in the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] it had been dead for nearly 150 years,<ref>{{App|TA}}, 2872</ref> until the new King [[Aragorn|Elessar]] and [[Gandalf]] found a new seedling of the Tree,<ref>{{RK|VI5}}</ref> and the Guards' great duty was refounded.

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==Appearance and attire==

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At the end of the [[Third Age]], they were the only soldiers of [[Gondor]] to wear the [[Livery of Elendil]] [[Elendil|himself]] - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of [[Gondor]]'s ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of [[mithril]], and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.

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==Appearance and Attire==

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At the end of the [[Third Age]], they were the only soldiers of [[Gondor]] entitled to wear the [[Livery of Elendil]] [[Elendil|himself]] - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of [[Gondor]]'s ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of [[mithril]], with close-fitting cheek-guards and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.<ref name="MT"/> On [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Peregrin Took]] was arrayed as a Guard of the Citadel, at the command of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]] [[Denethor]]. His appearance in this uniform gave strength to the rumour that he was indeed ''[[Ernil i Pheriannath]]'', the Prince of the Halflings.<ref name="Siege"/>

==Organisation==

==Organisation==

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There seem to have been at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; [[Beregond (soldier of Gondor)|Beregond, son of Baranor]] belonged to the Third Company.<ref>{{RK|1}}</ref> The Captain-general of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the [[Ruling Stewards]] it was the heir of the Steward.

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There were at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; [[Beregond (soldier of Gondor)|Beregond]], son of [[Baranor (man of Gondor)|Baranor]] belonged to the Third Company.<ref name="MT"/> The Captain-general of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the [[Ruling Stewards]] it was the heir of the Steward.

==References==

==References==

Revision as of 19:32, 17 February 2013

The Guards of the Citadel or Tower of Gondor were those honoured guards of Minas Tirith who were charged with protecting the Citadel, the highest and most important tier of the city, and participated in official functions.[1] When on duty they were not permitted to leave their post for any cause, save at the command of their lord.[2]

Appearance and Attire

At the end of the Third Age, they were the only soldiers of Gondor entitled to wear the Livery of Elendilhimself - a white tree in blossom, surmounted by a silver crown and stars, all embroidered on a field of black. They also bore heirlooms of Gondor's ancient wealth, tall helmets wrought out of mithril, with close-fitting cheek-guards and bearing the carved wings of sea-birds.[1] On 10 MarchT.A.3019[5]Peregrin Took was arrayed as a Guard of the Citadel, at the command of the StewardDenethor. His appearance in this uniform gave strength to the rumour that he was indeed Ernil i Pheriannath, the Prince of the Halflings.[2]

Organisation

There were at least three companies, each of which had its own storehouse; Beregond, son of Baranor belonged to the Third Company.[1] The Captain-general of the Guards was probably the heir of the throne; during the time of the Ruling Stewards it was the heir of the Steward.